266 out of 278 high-rise buildings in England fitted with aluminium cladding materials (ACM) in the UK have failed fire safety tests, according to the government.

In an update on the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said the issues raised by the disaster which killed 80 people "extend well beyond Kensington".

Since July, The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has carried out a series of large-scale fire safety tests on seven different types of ACM cladding and insulation systems.

Mr Javid said while three of the systems were found to meet building regulation criteria, the other four "fell short of what was required".

"The cladding systems that passed the test are in use on 8 social housing towers. Systems that failed are in use on 165," he said.

"The owners of affected buildings have been given detailed advice drawn up by our independent expert advisory panel.


This covers steps to ensure the safety of residents including, where necessary, removal of cladding."

Mr Javid added further inspections carried out since the fire "have also highlighted other safety issues related to building design".

"For example, structural engineers studying Southwark's Ledbury Estate said that strengthening work may be needed on blocks constructed using the concrete panel system that, in 1968, failed with devastating effect at Ronan Point," he said.

"They also raised concerns about cracks that appeared cosmetic but could compromise fire-safety compartmentation.

"We have been in contact with Southwark Council and the engineers to discuss these issues, and have engaged the Standing Committee on Structural Safety to advise on their implications.

Meanwhile, all local authorities that own similar buildings have been advised to review their designs and to check whether any strengthening work was properly carried out."

Mr Javid added the Government is also aware some cladding systems may be designed and installed in such a way that they could fail in strong winds. However, the Government is not aware of any injuries caused by this kind of failure.

"However, we are taking advice from the independent expert panel and have written to building control bodies to draw their attention to the issues that have been raised," he continued.

"The wider issues of competence and certification will also feed into Dame Judith Hackitt's review of building safety, the terms of reference for which were announced last week.

"Finally, I have also established an Industry Response Group, which will help the sectors required to improve building safety and to coordinate their efforts."

(LM)